Diamondbacks Series Starts Tomorrow - Scheduled Autograph Sessions, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts tomorrow against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and several former Dodgers are scheduled for an photograph session with fans.  Yasiel Puig will also meet with fans at Viva Los Dodgers.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

The May issue of Dodger Insider magazine will be available at the stadium.  Check it out on the right.  It features Adrian Gonzalez on the cover and a story that places his career in context with the great first basemen in MLB history, finding that Gonzalez is well on track to becoming one of the top 25 first basemen of all-time. A sidebar looks at the rise of veterans Carl Crawford and Jimmy Rollins up baseball’s all-time charts.

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Friday, May 1st at 7:10 PM
RHP Rubby De La Rosa vs. RHP Carlos Frias
SNLA/AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Tonight's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  It is Friday Night Fireworks, so fans will be able to go down onto the field after the game to watch the spectacle. The theme for the evening is Top-40 Hits.  Go here for information about future firework themes.

It is also UCLA Night at Dodger Stadium.  Folks who ordered a special ticket package in the All You Can Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve will get an exclusive UCLA Dodger T-shirt with your ticket.  See that on the left.  If not already sold out go here for information.

UCLA and Dodger alumnus Eric Karros will throw the ceremonial first pitch. UCLA alumnus (2012) Joanna Alexis Jones will perform the national anthem. Pregame entertainment will also include a strolling magician in the left-field plaza and DJ Adam in the right-field plaza from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

Tommy Davis will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Army Captain Joel Perez of Los Angeles. Perez was deployed to Iraq twice as the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the 975th Movement Control Team (MCT) after earning his B.A. in Computer Science. His third deployment was to Kuwait in 2012 as the transportation Officer-In-Charge (OIC) of the 420th Movement Control Battalion (MCB). He is currently in his fourth deployment, stationed in Afghanistan as an advisor to the Afghan Local Police for the NATO Special Operations Component Command.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully Press Box on the club level. The items up for auction on Friday include an Andre Ethier autographed photo, Clayton Kershaw autographed baseball and Joc Pederson autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 8:45 p.m.

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Saturday, May 2nd at 6:10 PM
RHP Jeremy Hellickson vs. RHP Scott Baker
SNLA/AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Saturday's game starts at 6:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 3:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 4:00 PM.  The first 40,000 fans in attendance will receive a Dodgers Reusable Tote Bag.  See it on the left.

Actress, author, autism advocate and co-founder of HollyRod Foundation Holly Robinson Peete will perform the national anthem.  Actor Nick Kroll will throw the first pitch. Pregame entertainment will also include juggler Josh Horton in the left-field plaza, DJ Adam in the right-field plaza, DJ Lady Sha in the left-field reserve plaza and band The Trip will be in right-field reserve plaza.

Al Ferrara will sign autographs in the left-field pavilion from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Army Sergeant Thomas Hoyt of Fresno. Hoyt served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He is currently stationed at Ft. Campbell 101st Airborne in Kentucky.

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Sunday, May 3rd at 1:10 PM
RHP Chase Anderson vs. LHP Brett Anderson
SNLA/AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Sunday's game starts at 1:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 10:30 AM, and stadium gates open at 11:00 AM.  The first 15,000 ticketed kids 14-years old or younger will receive a Yasiel Puig Replica Jersey.  Check it out on the left.

Viva Los Dodgers begins at 11:00 AM. Fans are encouraged to arrive early for a chance to take a photo with Yasiel Puig who will make a 30-minute appearance from approximately 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM.  Additionally, in celebration of Kids’ Yasiel Puig Replica Jersey day, Puig will select a youngster in attendance at Viva Los Dodgers to throw the ceremonial first pitch Sunday. Dodger alumnus Tim Leary will also sign autographs from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM.

Musical entertainment will be provided by Latin Pop/Rock band Sonsoles and Columbia Records recording artist Danny Mercer. Mercer will also perform the national anthem and “God Bless America” Sunday.

Dodger alumnus Billy Ashley will sign autographs from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM in the left-field pavilion plaza.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Army Specialist Andrew Zapata of Colton. Zapata served on a deployment to Kuwait last year. He is currently stationed at Fort Riley Kansas.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully Press Box on the club level. The items up for auction on Sunday include an Alex Guererro autographed photo, Howie Kendrick autographed baseball and Zack Greinke autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 2:45 PM.

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2015 Bowman Baseball - The Dodger Base Cards

The set prospect collectors love has just been released.  It is Bowman's 2015 flagship set and below are all of the Dodger base cards.  As you know, this set has a strong focus on up-'n-comin' ballplayers, so you'll find Dodger minor leaguers like Urias, Seager, Holmes and De Leon throughout.  Go here for a complete checklist.  Over the next few days I'll have pics of most of the insert, relic and autograph cards.

#1 Clayton Kershaw                             #15 Zack Greinke

Blog Kiosk: 4/30/2015 - Dodger Links - Home Runs, McCarthy and Guerrero Takes the High Road

Kazuhisa Ishii was in the house last night to throw out the ceremonial first pitch.  Great to see you Kaz!

And what a great game to witness, eh?  Heck, Ishii might have felt like he was in a different world.  After all, the Dodgers punched the ball out of the park like they were a mile high in Colorado.  He was witness to four Dodger dingers; including three in the first inning alone.

For whatever reason Dodger Stadium has not been the pitchers paradise it is known for.  I haven't spent much time trying to figure out why that is, and it's probably way too early in the season to believe this is the new normal.  Still, you have to wonder.  Reporters even asked Mattingly what he thought about it (certainly in jest), via a tweet from Bill Plunkett:

Asked Mattingly to explain all the HRs being hit at #Dodgers Stadium: "You mean other than global warming?"

— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) April 30, 2015

Yeah, that's as good as any other reason.  Or maybe it's this, via Mark Saxon at ESPN:

"I think it's just taken Mac this long to get through to the guys," Mattingly said.

BTW, Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider had some fun with Dodger home run projections.  Check his post out here.  The above photo was taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more pics by him from yesterday.  Below are some links to check out:

• Alex Guerrero is a high-road kind of person.  Via Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com, "Alex Guerrero says he's unfazed by Madison Bumgarner's yelling."  Clearly, Bumgarner prefers the low-road.

“I think he was still thinking about the home run I hit in San Francisco, but I'm not the kind of person who gets upset at that kind of thing,” Guerrero said in Spanish. “To me, it's nothing.”

• Brandon McCarthy to have surgery today, via Alanna Rizzo on twitter:

McCarthy is scheduled for Tommy John Surgery tomorrow AM. It will be performed by Dr. ElAttrache. #Dodgers.
— Alanna Rizzo (@alannarizzo) April 29, 2015

• Via Craig Edwards at FanGraphs, "Joc Pederson Taking the Adam Dunn Path."
• Kudos to Adam Jones, via a Gabe Kapler tweet:

Adam Jones is a strong individual. Much respect for this powerful take. pic.twitter.com/sQDW2ngf92
— gabe kapler (@gabekapler) April 29, 2015

• I really hated the 80's, but the decade definitely had its moments.  Case in point, check out this oldy, but goody.  Here is Steve Sax's parody of the Billy Crystal song "You Look Marvelous;" which features Vin Scully dancing.  Yup!

Video Link:

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Madison Bumgarner was Disrespectful to the Game

A really strange thing happened during last nights game that has been vexing me.  In the seventh inning during a very tight game Madison Bumgarner responded to Dodger hitter Alex Guerrero in a manner not appropriate for a professional of his magnitude.

It was simply an act of a child - a kind of bullying you see from the insecure.  He allowed himself to verbally harass a player due to an ill-perceived slight; wholly manifested out of nowhere.  Bumgarner's own lack of respect for Guerrero (and frankly the game) was sad to witness, and I hope he comes to understand that it was himself who shows disrespect.

If you don't know what I'm talking about then watch the video below.

Video Link:

As you see, even the commentators can tell that whatever Guerrero did while coming out of the box was a sign of his own frustration.  Guerrero was clearly not showing up anyone... But clearly, Bumgarner was showing up Guerrero.

Matthew Moreno at Dodgers Nation does some lip reading:

Bumgarner appeared tell Guerrero, “You’re not that [expletive] good, man. You’re not that [expletive] good.” Guerrero, who hit a pinch-hit home run off Bumgarner on April 22, offered no reaction to the comments. 

I wonder what are fans suppose to think of Madison?  Doesn't this kind of action fall under the "lack of respect" for the game column?  Is not his apparent taunting disrespectful to the player, to his opponents, to his teammates and to the game at large?

UPDATE:  I thought I'd add, aren't Baseball fans suppose to care about "showing respect for the game," or does Madison (for whatever reason) get a pass?

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Weekend Autograph Opportunities: Steve Garvey in Lancaster on Thursday

Here are this weekends autograph opportunities and events throughout the Southland. As always, be sure to check the Blue Heaven Calendar for other events (a link can always be found on the tab at the top of this page, just left of center), and always confirm with the establishment. Everything is subject to change.  Please email me with any tips about upcoming events in Southern California.  As the rest of the week progresses I'll update this post with other events (if there are any) as I become aware of them.  Also, I don't always list every event below, so be sure to check my Calendar.  I always try to favor free signing events over paying events.  Click on any pic to embiggen.

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If you're heading out to Lancaster this coming Thursday (tomorrow) then you should check out the JetHawks play the Dodgers Single-A affiliate Rancho Cucamonga Quakes.  And if you go you'll be attending that clubs first "Superstar Series" event of the season.  What this means is that you will have an opportunity to meet and get an autograph from Dodger legend Steve Garvey.  Below is a schedule of other players who will be attending on future dates.

From what I understand, each guest will be signing during the game (at its start) for approximately 90 minutes.  BTW, the games start at 6:30 PM.  You can go here for more information.

Lancaster JetHawks
45116 Valley Central Way
Lancaster, CA 93536

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Blog Kiosk: 4/29/2015 - Dodger Links - Kershaw, Peter O'Malley and Kirk Gibson

Clayton Kershaw was good last night - just not good enough.  He faced off against Madison Bumgarner and the Giants for the second time this season and again came out on the losing side.  Per Matthew Moreno at Dodgers Nation:

“The bottom line is I just got out-pitched,” Kershaw said. “Madison pitched better than I did and they won the game. So, not a whole lot of analyzation going on. I gave up two, he gave up one, he pitched eight innings, I pitched seven, so yeah, I got outpitched.”

Kershaw gave up seven hits and two runs, and had a heck of a time with Giants phenom Buster Posey - who drove in both runs.  On a happy note, Clayton is getting better with each outing.  Per Mark Saxon at ESPNLosAngeles.com:

"I think he's just getting better and better as the season's going on. I think that's the one thing we see," Dodgers manager Don Mattingly said. "There are years when guys get runs and years when they don't. You never know who you're going to match up with."

The above photo was taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more pics by him from yesterday.  Below are some links to check out:

• This is quite an honor.  Former Dodger owner Peter O’Malley will be honored with “The Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon” from the Government of Japan.  This is that nations highest award for a non-citizen.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider. 
• OMG!  I'm pullin' for ya, Gibby!  Via Jason Beck at MLB.com; "Gibson reveals diagnosis of Parkinson's disease."

"I have faced many different obstacles in my life, and have always maintained a strong belief that no matter the circumstances, I could overcome those obstacles," Gibson said in the statement. "While this diagnosis poses a new kind of challenge for me, I intend to stay true to my beliefs. With the support of my family and friends, I will meet this challenge with the same determination and unwavering intensity that I have displayed in all of my endeavors in life. I look forward to being back at the ballpark as soon as possible."

• This is fun.  Via Andres Tardio at MTV.com, "Kendrick Lamar Walks Us Through His First Pitch With The Dodgers."

“This is amazing, especially being from the inner cities of L.A. We’ve never been to the Dodger Stadium on this type of level. I’ve probably been way up there,” he said pointing to the upper deck, “but to actually be in the dugout and on the field, that’s a whole ‘nother story coming from Compton. It’s a blessing, man. It’s a blessing.”

• Listen to agent Scott Boras talk about Dodger baseball (Seager and Urias) with Mason and Ireland on ESPN, here.
• Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Jansen opposes hitters; Ryu nearing same step."
• Awesome!  Greg at Plaschke, Thy Sweater is Argyle shares a new edition to his collection - a 1911 T332 Helmar Stamp of Zach Wheat.  I added a couple of these to my collection a few years ago - a Bell and Rucker.  Go here to check those out.
• You lucky dog, you!

Walk into the club house to this....Thanks @MagicJohnson #Showtime pic.twitter.com/ylMGLOb2U8
— Joc Pederson (@yungjoc650) April 28, 2015

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Enrique "Kike" Hernandez has Been Called Up - Carl Crawford to DL

One of the players acquired over the winter as a part of the Dee Gordon trade with Miami is now in Los Angeles wearing Blue.  Congrats, Kike!  It's great to have you here.  He'll be making his Dodger debut tonight as the starting center fielder.

In a corresponding move, Carl Crawford, who came up lame during yesterday's game, will be placed on the DL with a torn oblique.  Man-O-Live!  When it rains it pours, right?  Over the past week Puig, McCarthy, Peralta, and now Crawford have gone on the disabled list.  There's no word yet on how long he'll be out, but it's likely to be at least a couple of months.

Hernandez has had a bit of a rough start in the early going with the Dodgers farm club in Oklahoma City.  He is currently slashing only .169/.219/.254.  Considering the recent machinations within the Dodgers front office that has players freely moving in-and-out of the 25-man roster there's no telling how long he'll be up with us.  Nevertheless, he is very versatile on the field and aims to be a positive piece off the bench. 

Kike had this to say on twitter:

Hello LA!! It's been way too long! 😎
— Enrique Hernandez (@kikehndez) April 28, 2015

In celebration of Hernandez's arrival to the Dodgers I made the above fantasy card for him.  I used a photograph taken by Dodger photoagrapher Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015 and the 1972 Topps Baseball card design.

Below are his career stats, via Baseball-Reference:


UPDATE: Per a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today placed outfielder Carl Crawford on the 15-day disabled list with a right oblique strain and recalled infielder/outfielder Kiké Hernandez (pronounced: key-que) from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Hernandez, 23, batted .169 with two doubles, a homer and nine RBI in 16 games with Oklahoma City prior to his recall, appearing in games at shortstop (7), center field (4) and second base (3). The native of Puerto Rico tied for the club lead with six homers during Spring Training, batting .267 with two doubles and 12 RBI in 29 Cactus League games. He was acquired from the Marlins as part of a seven-player trade on Dec. 10, 2014 after seeing his first big league action last year and appearing in 42 games with Miami and Houston.

Crawford tripled in his only at-bat last night before being removed from the game in the third inning with right side tightness. He has a .245 batting average with a homer and three RBI in 15 games.

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A Bunch of Paco's Added to My Collection

I've been absent lately when it comes to sharing any new acquisitions for my collection, so here is something new.  I recently came across a small lot of autographed Paco Rodriguez card on eBay and couldn't resist making a bid.  There were four cards in total; including a chrome variation redemption card (not shown), and put in my number.  A few days later I realized I was the only one to put in a bid. For the price of about $2 a card I took them home.  Yeah! 

Paco has been quite good so far.  He's come into nine games this season, and has allowed just two hits and only one run in 4.2 innings.  Rodriguez has primarily been a situational pitcher, but I suspect he'll be called in to complete a full inning more often as the season goes on.  In the meantime, he is quickly solidifying his place in the bullpen.

At the top is a 2013 Topps Chrome auto'd card (left) and a 2013 Bowman Chrome auto'd card (right).  Below is a 2013 Topps Finest auto/ jumbo relic x-factor parallel card.

Below are the reverse of the cards.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/28/2015 - Dodger Links - Joc Pederson, Needle Nose Wright and Mike Bolsinger

Joc Pederson has just been outstanding.  He's slashing .296/.458/.556 with three home runs and five doubles at the plate.  That's not shabby for a young kid.  Best yet, he has shown that he can more than handle the center field position. 

Case in point, last night he turned a potential run scoring double off the outfield wall into a spectacular over-the-head running catch and double play.  (Watch it here)  Via Earl Bloom and Chris Haft at MLB.com:

"He hit it well," Pederson said. "Earlier in the day, we worked on angles, with [coach] Lorenzo Bundy. I kept my eye on the ball, and it worked out pretty well."

Something tells me that his numbers in Albuquerque were not some altitude-aided fluke.  That's not to say he'll be that same home run slugger, but he will certainly impress.  Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider:

“We just think Joc’s gonna keep improving,” manager Don Mattingly said. “He’s got a really good eye, and he’s going to strike out less as time goes on as he sees pitchers and knows how they’re attacking him and how to set himself up. I think he’s gonna get better.” 

The photo above of Joc was taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more pics by him from yesterday.  Below are some links to check out:

• Via WM Akers at Vice Sports, "The Forgotten Men Who Broke Baseball's Color Line With Jackie Robinson."  Here's a fantastic bio on former Dodger prospect, Negro League ace pitcher and Robinson roommate John "Needle Nose" Wright.
• Thanks for the memories, Xavier!  Via Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors, "Rays Acquire Xavier Cedeno From Dodgers."
• Via Jon Weisman at Dodger Insider, "Brandon McCarthy speaks about torn UCL."

“For the next couple of hours, I’ll keep talking it through and I’ll talk to the doc when he gets here,” McCarthy said this afternoon, “but it certainly (points) in one direction, and I don’t want to be one of those guys who plays out the string for a few months, only to waste everybody’s time.”

• Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA, "Carl Crawford leaves game in 3rd with tightness in right side."

"He has some tightness in his right side. We'll just have to see overnight," Mattingly said. "Tightness in the right side usually sounds like [an oblique], but I don't want to be the doctor.

• Via Craig Edwards at Fan Graphs, "Mike Bolsinger to the Rescue."

Bolsinger is not going to provide the production the Dodgers thought they were going to get from Brandon McCarthy, but he could provide above replacement level pitching until reinforcements arrive or perhaps even hold down the fifth spot all season. 

• Kudos to Orioles COO John P. Angelos for stepping up.  Via Cindy Boren at the Washington Post, "Son of Orioles owner Peter Angelos tweets perspective on Freddie Gray protests."  Unfortunately, this all got lost in the ensuing disturbances around Baltimore.

“The innocent working families of all backgrounds whose lives and dreams have been cut short by excessive violence, surveillance, and other abuses of the Bill of Rights by government pay the true price, and ultimate price, and one that far exceeds the importances of any kids’ game played tonight, or ever, at Camden Yards. We need to keep in mind people are suffering and dying around the U.S., and while we are thankful no one was injured at Camden Yards, there is a far bigger picture for poor Americans in Baltimore and everywhere who don’t have jobs and are losing economic civil and legal rights, and this makes inconvenience at a ballgame irrelevant in light of the needless suffering government is inflicting upon ordinary Americans.”

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Brandon McCarthy is Done - Has Torn UCL

Our worst fears have been realized. The most heralded free agent signing of the off-season has just blown back on us.  It has just been reported by Bill Shaikin on twitter that starting pitcher Brandon McCarthy is done.  He has a torn UCL - ulnar collateral ligament in his pitching elbow.

McCarthy: UCL tear, out for year
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) April 27, 2015

Although Mattingly has yet to say if McCarthy will have Tommy John surgery, via Shaikin on twitter.

Mattingly won't say if McCarthy will have Tommy John surgery. If he does, he's out thru mid- to late-2016. #Dodgers
— Bill Shaikin (@BillShaikin) April 27, 2015

Needless to say, this really sucks!

As you'll recall, Brandon signed a four year $48M contract contract in early December.  Overall, his addition to the team was heralded by many; especially the sabermetric set - who saw his potential to be a top line starter.  Unfortunately, his injury prone nature that includes a stress fracture to his shoulder, shoulder surgery a couple of years later and surgery to relieve cranial pressure due to being hit in the head by a batted ball has not abated.  Now, he has to deal with a torn UCL.

As some would say, this guy has some bad luck... And so do we.  I'm so hoping he doesn't become this ownerships version of Jason Schmidt.

In light of this announcement, Brandon McCarthy was rather introspective on twitter.

to be fair, 31 years of use is a lot to ask for from a ligament
— Brandon McCarthy (@BMcCarthy32) April 27, 2015

At least Brandon has a good sense of humor.

UPDATE: McCarthy is now officially on the DL, so relief pitcher Adam Liberatore has been called back up.  Via a press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today placed right-handed pitcher Brandon McCarthy on the 15-day disabled list (retroactive to April 26) with a right UCL tear and recalled left-handed pitcher Adam Liberatore from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Liberatore, 27, last pitched on Saturday for Oklahoma City, striking out the side in a scoreless inning against Omaha (Royals), and tossed 4.1 scoreless innings in three appearances with the Dodgers during his first stint with the club, April 17-21, allowing just one hit (1-for-13, .077) and striking out four. In three minor league outings this year with Oklahoma City, Liberatore allowed one run on three hits and struck out five in 3.0 innings.

McCarthy picked up the win on Saturday at San Diego, but was removed from the game during the sixth inning with right elbow tightness. In four starts this season, he’s gone 3-0 with a 5.87 ERA (15 ER/23.0 IP).

Photo at the very top via Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.

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Getting a Look Inside Puig's Home

As part of a new web series sponsored by Coldwell Banker, a video was just released that provides a glimpse at the new home Puig recently bought for himself near Dodger Stadium.  You get a little peek at his digs, and find out what home means to him.  Check it out below.

Video Link:

One thing of note is that his home has a smaller backyard that what I would've expected.  Another thing is that his reputation as a gamer only grows larger.  I bet that with him now on the DL he'll now find himself in front of that tv more often.

Per a press release provided by Coldwell Banker:

The 14-week series, starting today on the Coldwell Banker® Blue Matter blog, will offer behind-the-scenes videos of more than a dozen baseball stars. Each video will feature an exclusive look at the player’s home along with interviews on what home means to them. The Coldwell Banker Real Estate series leads with a look inside the home and off-the-field life of Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star outfielder, Yasiel Puig.

Shane Victorino's home is next - coming out May 6th.  Go here to check out the other videos.

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Blog Kiosk: 4/27/2015 - Dodger Links - Mattingly, AGon, Ryu and Guerrero

Few realize that a woman once was a co-owner of the Dodgers with Walter O'Malley.  Her name was Mae Smith and by the late 50's she owned about one-quarter of team.  Her husband John L. Smith, a famed executive responsible for the mass production of Penicillin at Pfizer, joined the Dodger ownership den in 1944 when the Ebbets family decided they wanted out.  In 1950 he passed away and his shares naturally transferred to his wife. 

The photo above captures Mrs. Smith with Walt Alston, Carl Erskine and Walter O'Malley on February 25, 1956 in Vero Beach.  It is an Associated Press photo that I saw on eBay.  Check out the auction here.  On a side note, she donated 50 Royal Palm trees in memory of her late husband to Holman Stadium at Dodgertown, Vero Beach.  They were planted along the perimeter of the outfield.

Below are some links from the weekend to check out:

• Via Richard Justice at MLB.com, "Mattingly deftly manages deep Dodgers roster."

Mattingly emphasized that every lineup was one he believed gave the Dodgers the best chance to win that day's game. In the end, nothing else is supposed to matter. The players trusted Mattingly and knew he had no other agenda.

That situation got back to the core of why Mattingly has been successful. To know him is to like him and believe in him. There's a decency and honesty about Mattingly that plays well over a long season. In that way, players want to please him.

• Via Mark Townsend at Big League Stew, "Adrian Gonzalez challenges radio host who called him slow to footrace."
• Via Sarah at We're born again, there's new grass on the field; she shares some pics from a Baseball Reliquary exhibit at the Arcadia Public Library.
• ICYMI: Via Ken Gurnick at MLB.com, "Dodgers reportedly ink Carp to Minors deal." 
• Gurnick also tells us that, "Ryu takes next step toward recovery from shoulder injury."

"He throws where he wants," Mattingly said. "It's like he hasn't missed a beat. It's a matter of getting him strong. He didn't feel anything, he's had no problem. The process is going good and we'll let it play out."

• Via Matthew Moreno at Dodgers Nation, "Dodgers Video: Scott Van Slyke Creates Makeshift Umbrella In Dugout."
• Via Dave Cameron at FanGraphs, "The New Alex Guerrero Problem."

Guerrero is forcing the Dodgers to play him more often, and Don Mattingly acknowledged that he’s going to have to put this guy in the line-up more often going forward.

“When a guy’s swinging the bat, you’re going to find playing time for him,” Mattingly said. “That’s just the way this game is.”

• Matt Meltzer at the Thrillist ranks all 30 Major League Baseball stadiums.
• I thought I'd pass along a great looking print made by Jeff Suntala.  It features the ballparks the LA Dodgers have played in.  Go here to check it out.  Below is a pic.

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Giants Series Starts Tomorrow - Scheduled Autograph Sessions, Pregame Info and Other Stuff!

The next homestand starts Monday evening against the San Francisco Giants.  Below are the scheduled autograph opportunities and other odds and ends for this upcoming homestand.

During this series against the Giants the Think Blue BBQ located in the left-field pavilion plaza will be making Caribbean Sticky Ribs from Monday through Wednesday. The dish features pork spare ribs with pineapple barbeque sauce, ghost pepper and molasses marinade and it will be served with tropical cole slaw.  Yum! 

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Monday, April 27th at 7:10 PM
 
SNLA, MLB Network/AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Monday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  The second of eight Cy Young Collectors' Pin Series giveaways is this night.  The first 40,000 fans will receive an Don Drysdale pin.  See it on the right.

(Photo via Jon SooHoo)

Hip hop artist Kendrick Lamar will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Also, to commemorate Drysdale’s collector pin giveaway, Drew Drysdale, Don Drysdale’s daughter, will perform the national anthem. Members of the Drysdale family, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Drew, DJ and Darren will also participate in the ceremonial first pitch.

Dodger alumnus Derrel Thomas will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 PM. to 7:00 PM.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Army Corporal Anthony Guitron of West Covina.
• As part of their focus on education & literacy, LADF will recognize the 2015 Roy & Roxie Campanella Scholarship recipients from California State University Northridge (CUSN)’s College of Health and Human Development, Department of Physical Therapy. Joni Campanella Roan, the daughter of Dodger great Roy Campanella, will also be recognized. The Roy & Roxie Campanella Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to physical therapist students with outstanding clinical potential as they proceed through the physical therapy program. For more than 20 years, the Campanella family has supported physical therapy scholarships at CSUN, providing financial support to 30 students. In 2014, LADF expanded on Campanella’s legacy by committing to the growth from 10 scholars in 2015 to 25 by 2017.

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Tuesday, April 28th at 7:10 PM
  
SNLA, MLB Network/AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Tuesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM.  It is USC Night at Dodger Stadium.  Folks who ordered a special ticket package in the All You Can Eat Right Field Pavilion or Infield Reserve will get an exclusive USC Dodger T-shirt with your ticket.  See that on the left.  If not already sold out go here for information.

California-born and Nashville country artist Cam will perform the national anthem. Rae Sremmurd, Interscope hip-hop duo Swae Lee and Slim Jimmy, will throw the ceremonial first pitch.

Dodger alumnus Billy Ashley will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 PM. to 7:00 PM. AM 570 LA Sports’ Petros and Money show will broadcast live from left-field pavilion from 3:00 PM. to 7:00 PM.

•  The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Jeffery Duron of Menifee.

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Wednesday, April 29th at 7:10 PM
  
SNLA/AM 570 (Eng.), KTNQ 1020 AM (Span.)

Wednesday's game starts at 7:10 PM.  Auto gates open at 4:30 PM, and stadium gates open at 5:00 PM. The first 40,000 fans through the turnstiles will receive a Clayton Kershaw Fleece Blanket.  See it on the left.

Former Dodger pitcher Kazuhisa Ishii will throw the ceremonial first pitch. Disney Channel star Coco Jones will perform the national anthem.

Dodger alumnus Al Downing will sign autographs in the left-field plaza from 5:00 PM. to 7:00 PM. AM 570 LA Sports’ Petros and Money show will broadcast live from left-field pavilion from 3:00 PM. to 7:00 PM.

• The Military Hero of the Game is U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Luis Repreza, a native of El Salvador.
• The Los Angeles Dodgers Foundation (LADF) conducts silent auctions throughout the season featuring more than 25 signed pieces of memorabilia from Dodger players, coaches and alumni. Auctions will take place behind the Vin Scully press box on the club level. The items up for auction on Friday include a Zack Greinke autographed photo, Clayton Kershaw autographed baseball and Joc Pederson autographed Dodger jersey. The auction will end at 8:45 p.m.

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Welcome to the Blue, Sergio Santos!

The Dodgers threw a bit of a curveball. 

With the recent trade for Xavier Cedeno the other day and word that he would meet the team in San Diego, I naturally assumed that he would be placed into the Dodgers bullpen today.  Considering the flurry of roster moves the club has made to shuffle players in-and-out of the team roster it seemed obvious.  Well... I shoulda realized that assuming anything only makes an ass out of me.

This afternoon the Dodger instead announced that Cedeno would be DFA'd and 31-year old veteran reliever Sergio Santos, only acquired by the Dodgers in early January, would join the team.

Via a Dodger press release:

The Los Angeles Dodgers today selected the contract of right-handed pitcher Sergio Santos, optioned right-handed pitcher Mike Bolsinger to Triple-A Oklahoma City and designated left-handed pitcher Xavier Cedeño for assignment.

Santos last pitched on Tuesday, with a scoreless inning of relief against Nashville (Athletics), and tossed scoreless relief in five of six appearances with Oklahoma City, posting a 3.86 ERA (2 ER/4.2 IP). The 31-year-old was a non-roster invitee at Spring Training and allowed seven runs (six earned) in 10.2 innings in 11 games (one start) with the Dodgers. The Los Angeles native was signed by the club as a free agent on Dec. 29, 2014 and has a 7-12 record with 39 saves and a 3.89 ERA in 180 games in five Major League seasons with the White Sox (2010-11) and Blue Jays (2012-14).

Bolsinger, the reigning Triple-A Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week, allowed just one run on five hits in 5.2 innings in a no-decision as the Dodgers' spot starter yesterday at San Francisco.

Cedeño was acquired on Wednesday from Washington in exchange for cash considerations.

Via Eric Stephen at True Blue LA:

"Growing up in LA, I was a huge Dodgers fan. Ever since I got in baseball, I always hoped for an opportunity to be traded to them, or to become a free agent to be able to sign with them," Santos said during spring training. "It's a little surreal putting on the Dodgers hat and Dodgers uniform, especially because I've put it on for so long but never been a part of the team, so it's nice to be a part of that now."

In celebration of Santos' arrival to the Dodgers I made the above fantasy card for him.  I used a photograph grabbed from a photo taken by Dodger photoagrapher Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015 and the 1962 Topps Baseball card design.

Below are his career stats, via Baseball-Reference:

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The Ugliest Sketch Card You'll Ever See

Holy Mackerel!  What is this abomination? 

Card manufacturers have been including artistically drawn sketch cards in many of their products over the years, and most of them (at least the ones made into actual subsets) are quite good.  When you commission with noted artist like Monty Sheldon and Brian Kong you know it'll be top notch. 

Unfortunately, it appears that Topps has over-stretched by casting too wide a net.  The above Clayton Kershaw sketch card (that originally came to my attention through an blog post by Corky at Pack War) can be found here on eBay.  It has the outrageous price of $499 attached to it, and for the life of me I cannot imagine anyone forking over that kind of dough.

Not that it's the fault of the seller.  This collector pulled a scarce and super-rare "1 of 1" card, and basically got screwed.  A card that could very well have been a showpiece in anyone's collection - should have been - is instead the butt of some terrible joke.  Yes, this card is a joke and Topps should never have allowed it to be distributed into their product.

Per Corky, the card appears to have been drawn by a "Elmo Perez," at least that's the best he can make out from the signature on the reverse.  Check it out for yourself below.

I shudder at the thought of finding one of these cards by "Elmo" in a pack.

Since this post is on the topic of sketch cards I figured I'd shared some pics of some of the better 2015 Museum sketch cards that have been unearthed so far.  After all, I gotta do something to wash out the stink from my eyes.  Also, go here to check out the sketch cards that made it into Museum's subset this year.

The below Clayton Kershaw card was drawn by Kevin-John.  You can check out the artist website here.

(eBay Auction Link)

And I'm very impressed by these next two cards drawn by Dan Bergren.

(eBay Auction Link)

(pic via Blowout Board)

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Blog Kiosk: 4/24/2015 - Dodger Links - Bolsinger Impresses in Dodger Debut

Accentuate the positive.

Yeah, it's tough to lose to the Giants and it's worse when it culminates into sweep, but there was plenty to like.  And gosh darn it, I'd rather start off my morning thinking about what positives we can take away from the series rather than fret about three games in an 162 game season.

For instance, Guerrero continues to mash the ball like a toddler who's discovered the joy of Play-Doh.  And Adrian Gonzalez came out of his recent funk to hit a deep homer to centerfield.  Best yet, we had the opportunity to witness one of the front office's earliest acquisitions impress on the field.

Mike Bolsinger was fantastic in his Dodger debut as a starter.  He went  5 2/3 innings against the Giants - knocking out five strike outs against two walks.  Bolsinger masterfully used a combination of his fastball and slider to keep batters on their toes before bringing his "Uncle Charlie" to leave them stammered.  No doubt, he'll be seen as a future candidate for spot starts throughout the season, and a possible competitor for a rotation position later on.  Via Alex Espinoza  at MLB.com:

"It's tough to say. In a way, yeah, I think I have [proved myself]," Bolsinger said. "Whatever happens, happens. I just want to put myself in the best possible situation so that if something comes up, they think of me."

Yes, you have shown us the daylight, and before the night is over I suspect you'll force us to keep you around.  The above photo of Mike Bolsinger was taken by Jon SooHoo/LA Dodgers 2015.  Go here to check out more pics of his from yesterday's game.  Jon also shares some fantastic B&W photos from the day here.  Below are some more links to check out:

• Via Bill Shaikin at the LA Times, "Collapse of Comcast-TWC merger could extend Dodgers' TV blackout."

“Time Warner simply did a stupid deal,” Ganis said. “At some point, they’re going to have to bite the bullet, and it might as well be sooner rather than later so Dodger fans can watch the games.”

• Awesome!  Via Spencer Fordin at MLB.com, "Dodgers Foundation raises $1.3M at Blue Diamond Gala."
• Via Jeff Sullivan at FanGraphs, "Raising the Dodger Fastball."  Fascinating stuff.

And the Dodgers, as a unit, are working higher than they did. Compared to last year, the Dodgers have increased their high-fastball rate by almost 11 percentage points.

• Via Craig Minami at True Blue LA, "Player development the main objective at Rancho Cucamonga."

"I see developing more important. The ultimate goal is to have the Dodgers win," (Bill Haselman) said. "And if we can win by doing that, great.  Everyone in this clubhouse including myself wants to win. But I want to make sure that these guys are ready to go up when they go up because when the Dodgers win, we all win."

• Via Mike Lange at Piscataquis Observer/Maine News Supply, "Small Maine company making baseball bats for major leagues."  (Hat Tip: Orel at SOSG)  This is where Puig gets his bats.
• Howard Cole at Forbes tells us about a new online service that provides a searchable sports memorabilia price guide called PriceRealized.com.

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Sandy Koufax, Pat Zachry and a Red Barber Collectible at Heritage Auctions

Enough with writing about Time Warner and their shenanigans.  I'm sick of it, and I wish it wasn't pertinent to the Dodgers.  But, it is.

Thankfully, I don't have to dwell on it for long because there is an upcoming auction through Heritage that has me transfixed on some fantastic Dodger memorabilia.  Check out some previews below. 

Above is a circa 1980's game worn jacket worn by Sandy Koufax.  I wonder if this would fit me.

Below is a 1988 Dodgers World Championship ring given to former Dodger pitcher Pat Zachry.  At the time, Zachry was not playing Baseball, but was an front office employee for the club.

(Auction Link)

This next item might be the coolest of all.  Featured below is a 1943 Brooklyn Dodgers silver presentation box given by the club to legendary broadcaster Red Barber.  Engraved on the reverse is the following:

Presented By Brooklyn National League Baseball Club To Walter "Red" Barber In Grateful Recognition of Distinguished Services To Baseball and to Brooklyn - May 24, 1943.

(Auction Link)

(Auction Link)

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